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```*+*```Douglas Wedding```*+*```

On May 19th, in the early afternoon Thomas Keegan Douglas, son of Duke Trevellyn Douglas, and Serafina Rosletta Annette Lorenzo were united in marriage by King Chadwick McAndrews.   Malcolm Douglas, brother of the groom and Francesca Lorenzo were best man and maid of honor.  Alexander and Ailish  Douglas, children of Malcolm served as ring bearer and flower girl.

In attendance with the Duke were his sons and their spouses or guests.  Queen Danielle McAndrews and her three older sons, the McAndrews sons and their spouses or guests along with  the Dowager Queen Mary Ann McAndrews. Also in attendance were the Brothers Sibio who provided a wonderful meal following the wedding.  After the reception, the happy couple left on their honeymoon. They plan to travel to the ancestral homeland of the Douglas Clan, as well as the island of Sicily.  Our best wishes to the happy couple as they begin their married life together. --submitted by Francesca Marie Riccio

```*+*```Castle Events```*+*```

Boar Hunt: On the eve of May 21, at the gracious invitation of Their Royal Majesties of Solurius, was held a boar hunt in their lands. The invitation, extended to Heathfield and her allied castles, was accepted by the Princess Elaina O'Neill, accompanied by Lady Georgette O'Shey and Michaela de Benoit, all who took part in the game of shooting three arrows at the boars scattered nigh through the forest.

Princess Elaina took her shots and with a fine eye, skewered a boar to be showered with glory, for the boar she shot carried a pouch of gold on her third try! Well done, Princess Elaina!

Lady Georgette, known as Ette to her friends, took her tries next. Though she grazed one of the boars, it was the pixie of the Solurius woods and the trees that felt the bite of her arrows. Best of luck next time, Lady Georgette!

Michaela stepped forward as the third of Heathfield's representatives and not only hit the pixie, and the woods, but was sent sprawling by an injured boar. She was uninjured but quickly retired the field to repair the damage done from the muck, followed shortly by the Princess and the Lady Georgette.

Others who attended triumphed or suffered equal fates, but it was clear a good time was enjoyed by all who attended. The ladies extend their thanks to King Byron and Queen Caillean for a fun hunt and a fine evening out. -- submitted by Michaela deBenoit

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Healer's Touch
by Samantha Golden

Balm - Bees love this fragrant herb, which explains its generic name, melissa - Greek for Bee. Balm is also a honey of a healer. It was popular among herbalists for some 2000 years and is still sweet news for today's herbal enthusiasts. The ancient Greek physician Dioscorides applied balm leaves to skin wounds and added the herb to wine to treat a variety of illnesses. The Roman nauralist Pliny recommended it to stop bleeding. During the 10th century, Arab doctors recommended balm for nervousness and anxiety. The great 11th century Arab physician Avicenna wrote, "Balm causeth the mind and heart to become merry."

Melissa water, or Eau de Melisse, became so popular as a tranquilizer and sedative that Charlemagne ordered the herb grown in all the physic gardens in his realm to guarantee an adequate supply. European herbalists greatly expanded on balm's earlier uses, prescribing it for just about everything: insomnia, arthritis, headache, toothache, sores, digestive problems, menstrual cramps and as a menstruation promoter -- so many aliments, in fact, that balm became know as a cure-all.

Healing with Balm: Contemporary herbalists tout balm's traditional uses: It's still used to induce sweat and menstruation and is recommended to treat headache, flatulence, hypertension, stress, bronchitis, indigestion, asthma and infant colic. Modern science has not supported all of balm's traditional uses -- it has abandoned the notion that balm is a stimulant and Culpeper was off base by saying it "opens obstructions in the brain." But studies show this herb may have even greater healing potential.

Wound Treatment: Score one for Dioscorides. Balm contains chemicals (polyphenols) that may help fight several infection causing bacteria, among them Streptococci and mycobacteria. Balm also contains eugenol, an anesthetic that my well help relieve wound pain.

Herpes and other Viral Infections: Balm helps fight mumps, herpes and other viruses. American pharmaceutical companies have ignored balm's possible antiviral action but Europeans have not. In Germany where herbal medicine is more mainstream, balm extract is an active ingredient in Lomaherpan Creme, an ointment used to treat cold sores and genital herpes.

A Natural Tranquilizer: Researchers have discovered that balm oil - the source of the plant's pleasant fragrance - may have tranquilizing properties, supporting the herb's traditional use as a relaxant. In Germany, balm is widely used as a tranquilizer and sedative.

Digestive Aid: German researchers have discovered that balm relaxes the smooth muscle tissue of the digestive tract, thus supporting its age old use as a digestive aid.

Women's Health: Herbs that relax the digestive tract may also calm another smooth muscle, the uterus. This potential effect could help support balm's traditional use in treating menstrual cramps. However, balm has also been historically recommended as a uterine stimulant to promote menstruation. No contemporary research clarifies this confusing situation. For this reason, pregnant women should not use it. Other women might try it to begin menstruation.

Rx for Balm: For a relaxing bath, tie a handful of balm in a cloth and run your bathwater over it. In addition to feeling its tranquil effect,  you'll love its lemony aroma. To help treat wounds, make a hot compress using 2 teaspoons of leaves per cup of water. Boil 10 minutes, strain, and apply with a clean cloth. For a light lemony tasting infusion, which may help soothe the stomach, fight infection or ease menstrual pain, use 2 teaspoons of leaves per cup of water. Steep 10 to 20 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day. In a tincture use 1/2 to 1 1/2 teaspoons up to three times a day. When using commercial preparations, follow package instructions. Medicinal infusions or tinctures of balm should not be given to children under age 2. For older children and people over 65, start with low strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.

The Safety Factor: Two recent studies show that balm interferes with the thyroid stimulating hormone, thyrotropin. There are no reports of this herb causing thyroid problems but anyone with a thyroid condition should discuss balm's thyrotropin inhibiting effect with a physician before using it. Balm is on the Food and Drug Administration's list of herbs generally regarded as safe. The medical reports contain no reports of toxicity. For otherwise healthy, nonpregnant, nonnursing adults who do not have thyroid conditions, balm is considered safe in amounts typically recommended. Balm should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor. If it causes minor discomfort, such as stomach upset or diarrhea, take less or stop using it. Let your doctor know if you experience any unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.

Growing Balm: Balm is a branching, erect perennial that grows to 2 feet. It has the mint family's characteristic square stems and small, two-lipped, white or yellow flowers which bloom in bunches throughout the summer. The aboveground parts die back each winter but the root is perennial. Balm grows easily from seeds sown in spring or from cuttings of root divisions. Seeds germinate indoors or out and often do best when left uncovered. Simply keep them moist. Germination typically takes three to four weeks. Balm likes well drained soil with a pH near neutral. Thin seedlings to 1 foot spacing. The herb prefers partial shade. It wilts in full sun and loses some aroma. For medicinal use, the leaves should be harvested before the plant flowers. Cut the entire plant a few inches above the ground. Dry it quickly or the leaves may turn black. Balm loses much of its fragrance when dried. After drying, powder the leaves then store them in tightly sealed opaque containers to preserve the volatile oil.  --Taken from The Healing Herbs by Michael Castleman

Life Around Here

The month of June, believed named for Juno the wife of Jupiter, king of the Greek Pantheon, is well come to Heathfield and the surrounding lands. The breath of summer comes gently on winds scented by early roses and sun-warmed earth from the farms tended by hands that treasure the lands for the bounty they reap. The sparkling waters of lakes and rivers present fine invitations to take a moment to cool from the deepening heat and enjoy the sweet leisure times of summer while birds and children take to the air with songs and chatter.

It is a crown of a month, thought to bring luck to brides in fruitful, happy marriages. The best time of the year, believed of many, as sweet berries ripen on their plants to be plucked for eating and brought home to waiting mamas like bright jewels. Nigh perfect a time, for it's neither too warm nor too cool, the people savor the colors, the scents, the tastes of the days and welcome the nights as sun goes down and moon comes up. A very romantic time is June, meant to be enjoyed by all... for as Spring ripens to Summer, love may yet be in the air.   --submitted by Michaela deBenoit.

Births: None this month. Marriages: Congratulations to Thomas Douglas and Serafina Lorenzo, married May 19th. Engagements: Allan Cleary announces his engagement to Devon Winters. A late summer wedding is planned, but no official date has been set.  Deaths: None this Month. Citizenship: Please welcome Michaela de Benoit, Matthew Clarendon, Viola Clarendon and Paris Moore.

Halo around the moon, rain soon. Halo around the sun or moon, rain or snow soon. If you see the underside of the leaves in the gentle breeze, it will rain before you sneeze. Mare's tails and mackerel scales make tall ships take in their sails. No weather is ill when the wind is still. Pale moon doth rain, Red moon doth blow, White moon doth neither rain nor snow. Red skies at night sailor's delight, Red skies at morning, sailors take warning. See Matthew 16:2.

Smoke curling downward, poor weather. Waning Moon plant biennials, perennials, bulb and root crops. Waxing Moon, plant annuals that produce their yield above ground. When a cow endeavors to scratch its ear, it means a rain shower is near. When he thumps his ribs with an angry tail, look out for thunder, lightning and hail. When the stars begin to huddle, the earth will soon become a puddle. When your joints all start to ache, rainy weather is at stake.

OTHER LIFE FORMS

Dwarves -- Dwarves are a diminutive race of faeries that live in mountains and deep forests. Since they are primarily subterranean by nature, most avoid bright light (including sunlight), and some are even nocturnal. Many have white beards, although black beards have also been recorded. Much of their clothing is drab and earthen in color.

Young dwarves have a harsh, stone-like appearance that supports the theory they are carved from rock rather than born. As dwarves become older, their skin becomes finer and more polished, sometimes resembling marble. Dwarves can shift form to become a tree stump or stone, but if you look closely, you may be able to see their features in the wood or rock.

While the elves appear to behave like the aristocracy of faerie, idling away their days, dwarves are hard workers with strength far greater than their size. Like elves, however, they value bravery and loyalty and will punish those that ridicule or trick them. Mountain climbers will sometimes find rings or other odd items along ledges or in shallow caves. They may also occasionally hear the clanging of these eternal laborers.

Master craftsmen, dwarves can forge any metal and make fine weapons that will never lose their sharpness. Because they lead very long lives, the death of other, less enduring things is a continuous source of sadness an many of their creations are an attempt to improve on nature.  -- submitted by Kathleen Frasier - from Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide. Everyone should have one!

June

According to the Georgian calendar, which is used over most of the world today, June is the sixth month. On the Roman calendar, it was considered the fourth month and had only 29 days. Julius Ceasar gave the month 30 days in 46 B.C., when he reformed the Roman calendar.

Spring ends and summer begins around June 20, 21, or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere. It's the time that the flowers are beautiful. It is especially the month for roses. In the Southern hemisphere, winter begins during June, and it brings cold, rainy weather to this part of the world.

It is also time for the June Bug to emerge. The June Bug also known as June beetle, is the name for several large beetles seen in the United States during May and June. They are usually seen at night, when the light attracts them.

June bugs eat the young leaves of trees and plants. They deposit their eggs in the ground. The young larvae bury themselves in the soil in the autumn and stay there two years. They then come out in May or June as adult beetles.

Invictus
by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.

--submitted by Paris Moore

The Shipfitter's Wife
by Dorianne Laux

I loved him most
when he came home from work,
his fingers still curled from fitting pipe,
his denim shirt ringed with sweat
and smelling of salt, the drying weeds
of the ocean. I would go to him where he sat
on the edge of the bed, his forehead
anointed with grease, his cracked hands
jammed between his thighs, and unlace
the steel-toed boots, stroke his ankles,
his calves, the pads and bones of his feet.
Then I'd open his clothes and take
the whole day inside me-the ship's
gray sides, the miles of copper pipe,
the voice of the first man clanging
off the hull's silver ribs, spark of lead
kissing metal, the clamp, the winch,
the white fire of the torch, the whistle.

--submitted by Marcy McGuire

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Untitled
by Slim Acres

Roses are red,
Violets are blue;
But they don't get around
Like the dandelions do.

--submitted by Lei McAndrews

Sunset Rain
by Amanda Taylene Paul

Rain sweet, summer storm
for I long for your calming tears
to take away my pains
and relieve me from my fears
your breezes whisper your secrets
and your clouds betray your years
your thunder voices worry
as through your lightning peers

The land below does mock you
as if daring you to fight
commanding you and your platoon
to come and steal the night
upon your whirlling winds
do fly the graceful kite
as fades behind the mountain
the summer's first longing light.

--submitted by Lei McAndrews

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Time and Again
by Rainer Maria Rilke

Time and again, however well we know the landscape of love,
and the little church-yard with lamenting names,
and the frightfully silent ravine wherein all the others
end: time and again we go out two together,
under the old trees, lie down again and again
between the flowers, face to face with the sky.

--submitted by Marcy McGuire

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Did You Know?

Temples of Dreams - One of the special powers of sacred places is their alleged ability to open the mind to waking visions and vivid dreams. Since ancient times, people have slept at sacred places in order to heal diseases, learn divination, or make contact with spirits. In the Shinto Temple of USA in Kyushi, ancient Japanese emperors would often sleep on a special polished stone bed, the kamudoko, in order to dream answers to problems of state. In India sleeping in temples to inspire dreams was a common practice and is still carried on to some extent today. Even in the Bible, dreams were linked with certain structures -- Jacob reportedly dreamt of angels on a heavenly ladder as he slept with his head on a stone (Genesis 30:11-12). He built a temple at the site called Bethel.

Water is often associated with sacred sleep. Among the Celts of Britain, seers would wrap themselves in animal skins and lie near holy pools or waterfalls in order to have visionary dreams. In ancient Greece there were 320 documented dream temples, or Asclepions, all of which had sacred springs. Water played an important part in the purification procedures that were followed at these ancient dream temples. The Greek dream temples were dedicated to the god of healing, Asclepius, who according to local legend was taught by the centaur Chiron to use a serpent to locate medicinal herbs and plants. The serpent, usually coiled around a rod, became one of the symbols associated with Asclepius. Since the Greeks believed that Asclepius effected cures or prescribed remedies in dreams, the practice of sleeping in temples dedicated to him became common. Therapeutic sleep, or dream incubation, took place at the Asclepions, many of which are near mineral springs. Typically a sick person would stay for a period at an Asclepion, making offerings and undergoing various purifications, such as bathing in, and drinking copious amounts of the temple's sacred waters. Then the patient would fall asleep in a specialized cell called an abaton, hoping to dream of Asclepius or one of his symbols. Afterwards, a helper or therapeute -- the word from which our term therapy derives, would assist the sufferer in analyzing the dream. The dream had to be interpreted to find out what cure was indicated. In some cases, the very act of dreaming at a temple had a healing effect. -- submitted by Samantha Golden (taken from the book Earth's Mysterious Places, Reader's Digest)

Dear Kizzie,

I have four brothers and am the youngest.  Being the only girl, I get teased constantly from being too small to not having a boyfriend to being married off to some old nasty.  How can I get them to stop teasing or should I just go after them tooth and nail? -- Sincerely, Fed Up.

RECIPES of the MONTH